Pocula Castalia :: :: University of Virginia Library

Now 'gan their Hymeneal's to approach,
The time's set. Titan, oft the Youth did say
Oftner the Maid, Lash on thy lazy Coach:
How thick thy cri'd, kind Phosphorvs bring the day.
It came at last (though their desires thought late,)
Then these Doves coupled, in this Masque-like State.

191

Bright Juga Jvno's Orgies are begun,
Above her Altar in a Saphire Cloud
Her airy Majesty displaid her Throne,
Supported by two Peacocks gay and proud.
The charming spirits of the air did beat
Their sacred concords 'bout her Starry seat,

192

With a white Diadem her brow was crown'd
From whence a swelling veile descended, flying,
Whose upper end a silken Fascia boun'd
Of severall hues, the many dies implying
The various mutations of the skie,
Of causing these she having th'faculty.

193

The wealthiest Gems in Neptvnes cabinet
Shon on her Fascia, in the top high
With Roses blooming as her cheek, and set
With Pestan Lillies, which her milk did die
That from her brest dropt, when Jove thence did pluck
Her Privignus, laid there by stealth to suck.

194

A Royall Scepter in her right hand shon,
Her left a Timbrell held; her golden feet
A Lyons shaggie hide trampled upon.
Thus in her Argive Temple did she set,
As 't'were insulting o'r her Lords two scapes,
The Monster-Master, and the God of Grapes.

195

The Region of Fier in an even
Circle was ever whirling 'bove her seen:
Jove standing in the top, (figuring the Heaven)
Brandishing flaming Bolts as if he'd been
To charge the Gyant Host. Iris below
Her Saphrie Throne, bent her enammel'd Bow.

196

Eight Ladies 'bout her Altar measur'd paces,
Enstil'd her Powers or her faculties,
Veil'd, lest all mortals with their dazling graces
Should (as th'armed Boy did) lose their eyes.
All these some Surname bore given properly
To Jvno, for some nuptiall mystery.

197

The first was Cvris, nam'd from th'Sabine Sphere
That Hast a Coelibaris, that had stuck
In the slain Gladiator: the Brides hair
With this she did divide, and keem and deck,
To tell her, as in him that fast did 'bide,
So close must she unto her male by ty'd.

198

Or it portended valiant men to come
Out of her loynes, or else this badg of sway
Denoted her subjection to her Groom:
Or rather it might be in memory
Of their first Marriages, by force contracted
With them that came but to see Plaies, yet acted.

199

Next Unxia with her wollen Fillets stood
The Posts and Columnes of th'House t'adorn,
And to annoint with hollow'd Oyles approv'd
And fat of Wolves and Beares mixt in a Horn
E'r the Bride enters: to expell thereby
All frights and evills from the Family.

200

The third was Jvga (that soul-mingling grace)
In silken Yoak the loving Pair that bind
Ready to Vnion to sacrifice
Two hearts melted and mixt into one mind.
Thus as two Maids of different sex made one
And to that state restor'd that first was known.

201

The fourth takes care that they remaine so still,
Gamelia, that behind the Altar throws
The Gall: no strife is left, no stubborn will,
But Peace and Love and Faith betwixt them growes.
Such was the golden Chain let down from Heaven
Of Linkes consisting thus well joyn'd and even.

202

The fift and sixt were Iterdvca, and
Her sister Domidvca, these are they
That were the Brides fair footsteps to attend
When to her Spouses house she took her way.
The seventh was Cinxia, that defends the Maid
Quit of her Zone, whilst in that state she staid.

203

The last was Telia, she that crowneth all,
That brings the gratefull hower, and excites
Lovers to reap the fruit of their long thrall,
Embracements, kisses, and those short delights
And melting toyes chast Love allowes; the same
That gives Perfection, and a womans name.

204

The Altar drest, first to it did approach
The Quinque Cerei attir'd in white.
These were five Pages, bearing each a Torch
Of Virgin Wax; their number, in the rites
Imply'd Perfection, seeing five is
The number whence sweet Union claimes her Blisse.

205

The Bridgroome, behind these, with Myrtle crown'd
Walk'd (like Loves Champion ready for the Lists)
With longing looks. His hair was short and bound
With party-colour'd Ribbands and Gold twists.
Her garments hues the whitest Lillies stain'd,
And ruddy'st Roses that e'r Xevxis feign'd.

206

In Saffron-colour'd robes next Hymen came,
His under vestures white, his Socks were Gold,
His head with Roses crown'd and Marjoram:
A Torch of Pine Tree his right hand did hold,
His left a blushing veile, to signifie
The bedded Virgins bashfull modesty,

207

Then came Camillus, a young youth in white,
Bearing a Torch of white and blooming Thorn,
To fright all malice with the ominous light,
In sign too of Increase this Tead was born.
Next came a Rock and Spindle, nothing good
These shew, gives check unto the highest bloud.

208

'Twixt them the Lovely Bride was led; Her Head
A Rosse Crown had like a Turret made,
Her loosly flowing hair with grey was shed
To shew she enter'd to a Matrons state.
Wherfore a Weathers Snowie fleece was worn
At her back, that she might not labour scorn.

209

Her robe so white, was nothing else durst vie
With it, but her pure skin. Bout her small wast
In many many folds and contrary
Circles her Virgin Zone of Wool was cast,
Yet met in one Herculean, that binds,
To intimate, so should all married minds.

210

With fire and water th'Auspices came next,
To shew, that as each Birth is helpt to life
By female moisture with male Heat well mixt:
So for their likenesse sake joyn Man and Wife.
Last, the Musicians came, with Rosebuds crown'd,
Strayning their Organs high, this air to sound.